Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), a potential presidential candidate, has come out against the Muslim community center that will be located near Ground Zero. And further, he says that its presence would “degrade or disrespect” the area.
As Real Clear Politics reports:
Pawlenty left the mosque matter alone until coming out against the now-approved plan when asked about it for this story.
“I’m strongly opposed to the idea of putting a mosque anywhere near Ground Zero-I think it’s inappropriate,” he said. “I believe that 3,000 of our fellow innocent citizens were killed in that area, and some ways from a patriotic standpoint, it’s hallowed ground, it’s sacred ground, and we should respect that. We shouldn’t have images or activities that degrade or disrespect that in any way.”